Glasgow's first digital strategy since Covid approved by council

Glasgow City Council has announced a major shift in the city's approach to digital with the release of its first digital strategy since the Covid pandemic.

The six-year strategy is aimed at triggering organisational change to balance the benefits of digital with people’s digital rights.

The council says that, unlike its previous strategy, “it is not a technology strategy, and cannot be delivered by technology alone”.

The previous digital strategy hinged on digital transformation programmes such as the Connected Learning programme, which worked to provide secondary pupils with their own iPad.

Instead, the new strategy is structured to be an “underpinning and enabling strategy” for delivering Glasgow’s Strategic Plan, which aims to boost innovation and ensure equal opportunities for Glasgow residents.

To do so, planned digital transformation programmes will remain “key priorities” in the coming years but the new strategy will shift to a mission-driven approach, with each mission focusing on either improving the digital society, digital economy or the delivery of digital services in the city.

The strategy outlines the actions required to deliver its three aims, including how to best reach those who find it difficult to use or access digital technology and services.

It is hoped the new approach will boost participation, help fix the talent pipeline and improve the efficiency of the city’s operations.

Glasgow City councillor Paul Leinster said: “The new Digital Glasgow Strategy recognises the increased role that digital technology and services will play in the future, and sets out the key actions to deliver the key priorities of the strategy. 

“These priorities include not only the delivery of innovative digital public services that bring an improved experience for all those who receive them; but also make our digital economy more inclusive, to increase opportunities and develop skills; and to encourage and enable greater digital inclusion, participation and confidence.”